Respect, dignity mark Cape Marine's funeral

John Basile

Friday

Jul 31, 2009 at 12:01 AMJul 31, 2009 at 5:04 AM

With quiet dignity, Marine Cpl. Nicholas Xiarhos of Yarmouth was remembered in funeral services Friday. Hundreds of people lined the route from Yarmouth to St. George Greek Orthodox Church in Centerville, where the funeral service was held under overcast skies. Xiarhos was killed by a roadside blast in southern Afghanistan on July 23.

Hundreds of people lined the route from Yarmouth to St. George Greek Orthodox Church in Centerville, where the funeral service was held under overcast skies.

Xiarhos was killed by a roadside blast in southern Afghanistan on July 23.

Many in the crowd outside the church were moved to tears as the funeral procession arrived. The hearse was followed by three cars carrying Xiarhos' family members and escorted by Yarmouth police cruisers.
The church and an adjacent community hall were packed with family and friends. The service, with prayers in Greek and English, was projected onto a large screen for those not seated in the sanctuary.
“I thought we were both invincible,” said Marine Cpl. Andrew Coville, a hometown friend of Xiarhos’ who served in the Marine Corps with him and was rushed home from Afghanistan to attend his friend’s funeral. In his eulogy, Coville recalled Xiarhos as someone he partied with and served in combat with.
“Half of me has been taken away,” Coville said. “The better half.”
Marcus Farias, who graduated from Dennis-Yarmouth Regional High School with Xiarhos in the Class of 2006, also delivered a eulogy and remembered Xiarhos as a vital member of his family.
“I saw how proud Nick was to be a big brother,” Farias said. “Nick was bound by nothing. He became the man and the Marine he so long desired to be.”
U.S. Sen. John Kerry and Gov. Deval Patrick led a list of dignitaries gathered to salute Xiarhos, the sixth Cape Codder to die in Iraq or Afghanistan.
Members of the Law Dawgs, the Leathernecks and the Patriot Guard motorcycle clubs lined the road leading to the church, many with flags flying from their bikes.
In Yarmouth, Hyannis and Centerville, fire department ladder trucks hoisted enormous American flags in honor of Xiarhos.
Hundreds of police officers and firefighters also turned out to show their sympathy and respect for the Marine, whose father Steven is a lieutenant in the Yarmouth Police Department. Many of Nicholas Xiarhos’ schoolmates mingled with folks who did not know him or his family but simply wanted to express their condolences.
Tom Sullivan of West Yarmouth, a Vietnam veteran, stood outside the church. When asked why he came, he answered in one word. “Respect.”
John Bangert of Harwich came as escort to a group of Gold Star parents, those who have lost sons or daughters in war. That group brought a display honoring all those from Massachusetts who have died in fighting in Iraq of Afghanistan.
The funeral service followed a wake at Dennis-Yarmouth Regional High School on Thursday at which hundreds of people paid their respects.
Burial followed the funeral in the Massachusetts National Cemetery in Bourne.

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